Multi-sensor system, device, and method for deriving human status information

ABSTRACT

The invention is a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone, having sensors to generate data indicative of a physiological or contextual parameters of a user. A processor on the wireless communications device is adapted derive physiological state information of the user from the contextual or physiological parameters. The apparatus may include a central monitoring unit remote from the sensors for storing data and transmitting data to a recipient.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 10/638,588 filed Aug. 11, 2003, which is a continuation of Ser. No.09/602,537, filed Jun. 23, 2000, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,605,038. U.S. application Ser. No. 09/602,537 was acontinuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/595,660,filed Jun. 16, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for monitoring health,wellness and fitness, and in particular, to a system for collecting,using a sensor device, and storing at a remote site data relating to anindividual's physiological state, lifestyle, and various contextualparameters, and making such data and analytical information based onsuch data available to the individual, preferably over an electronicnetwork.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Research has shown that a large number of the top health problems insociety are either caused in whole or in part by an unhealthy lifestyle.More and more, our society requires people to lead fast-paced,achievement-oriented lifestyles that often result in poor eating habits,high stress levels, lack of exercise, poor sleep habits and theinability to find the time to center the mind and relax. Recognizingthis fact, people are becoming increasingly interested in establishing ahealthier lifestyle.

Traditional medicine, embodied in the form of an HMO or similarorganizations, does not have the time, the training, or thereimbursement mechanism to address the needs of those individualsinterested in a healthier lifestyle. There have been several attempts tomeet the needs of these individuals, including a perfusion of fitnessprograms and exercise equipment, dietary plans, self-help books,alternative therapies, and most recently, a plethora of healthinformation web sites on the Internet. Each of these attempts aretargeted to empower the individual to take charge and get healthy. Eachof these attempts, however, addresses only part of the needs ofindividuals seeking a healthier lifestyle and ignores many of the realbarriers that most individuals face when trying to adopt a healthierlifestyle. These barriers include the fact that the individual is oftenleft to himself or herself to find motivation, to implement a plan forachieving a healthier lifestyle, to monitor progress, and to brainstormsolutions when problems arise; the fact that existing programs aredirected to only certain aspects of a healthier lifestyle, and rarelycome as a complete package; and the fact that recommendations are oftennot targeted to the unique characteristics of the individual or his lifecircumstances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus for monitoring human status parameters is disclosed whichincludes at least two sensors adapted to be worn on an individual'sbody. At least one of the sensors is a physiological sensor selectedfrom the group consisting of respiration sensors, temperature sensors,heat flux sensors, body conductance sensors, body resistance sensors,body potential sensors, brain activity sensors, blood pressure sensors,body impedance sensors, body motion sensors, oxygen consumption sensors,body chemistry sensors, body position sensors, body pressure sensors,light absorption sensors, body sound sensors, piezoelectric sensors,electrochemical sensors, strain gauges, and optical sensors. The sensorsare adapted to generate data indicative of at least a first parameter ofthe individual and a second parameter of the individual, wherein thefirst parameter is a physiological parameter. The apparatus alsoincludes a processor that receives at least a portion of the dataindicative of the first parameter and the second parameter. Theprocessor is adapted to generate derived data from at least a portion ofthe data indicative of a first parameter and a second parameter, whereinthe derived data comprises a third parameter of the individual. Thethird parameter is an individual status parameter that cannot bedirectly detected by either of the at least two sensors.

In an alternate embodiment, an apparatus for monitoring human statusparameters is disclosed that includes at least two sensors adapted to beworn on an individual's body selected from the group consisting ofphysiological sensors and contextual sensors, wherein at least one ofthe sensors is a physiological sensor. The sensors are adapted togenerate data indicative of at least a first parameter of the individualand a second parameter of the individual, wherein the first parameter isphysiological. The apparatus also includes a processor for receiving atleast a portion of the data indicative of at least a first parameter anda second parameter, the processor being adapted to generate derived datafrom the data indicative of at least a first parameter and a secondparameter. The derived data comprises a third parameter of theindividual selected from the group consisting of ovulation state, sleepstate, calories burned, basal metabolic rate, basal temperature,physical activity level, stress level, relaxation level, oxygenconsumption rate, rise time, time in zone, recovery time, and nutritionactivity. The third parameter is an individual status parameter thatcannot be directly detected by any of the at least two sensors.

In either embodiment of the apparatus, the at least two sensors may beboth physiological sensors, or may be one physiological sensor and onecontextual sensor. The apparatus may further include a housing adaptedto be worn on the individual's body, wherein the housing supports thesensors or wherein at least one of the sensors is separately locatedfrom the housing. The apparatus may further include a flexible bodysupporting the housing having first and second members that are adaptedto wrap around a portion of the individual's body. The flexible body maysupport one or more of the sensors. The apparatus may further includewrapping means coupled to the housing for maintaining contact betweenthe housing and the individual's body, and the wrapping means maysupport one or more of the sensors.

Either embodiment of the apparatus may further include a centralmonitoring unit remote from the at least two sensors that includes adata storage device. The data storage device receives the derived datafrom the processor and retrievably stores the derived data therein. Theapparatus also includes means for transmitting information based on thederived data from the central monitoring unit to a recipient, whichrecipient may include the individual or a third party authorized by theindividual. The processor may be supported by a housing adapted to beworn on the individual's body, or alternatively may be part of thecentral monitoring unit.

The apparatus may be further adapted to obtain life activities data ofthe individual, wherein the information transmitted from the centralmonitoring unit is also based on the life activities data. The centralmonitoring unit may also be adapted to generate and provide feedbackrelating to the degree to which the individual has followed a suggestedroutine. The feedback may be generated from at least a portion of atleast one of the data indicative of at least a first parameter and asecond parameter, the derived data and the life activities data. Thecentral monitoring unit may also be adapted to generate and providefeedback to a recipient relating to management of an aspect of at leastone of the individual's health and lifestyle. This feedback may begenerated from at least one of the data indicative of a first parameter,the data indicative of a second parameter and the derived data. Thefeedback may include suggestions for modifying the individual'sbehavior.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of thepresent invention, taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich like reference characters refer to like parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment of a system for monitoringphysiological data and lifestyle over an electronic network according tothe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the sensor device shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the central monitoringunit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of the centralmonitoring unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the HealthManager web page according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the nutritionweb page according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the activitylevel web page according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the mindcentering web page according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the sleep webpage according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the dailyactivities web page according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a representation of a preferred embodiment of the HealthIndex web page according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front view of a specific embodiment of the sensor deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a back view of a specific embodiment of the sensor deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a specific embodiment of the sensor deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of a specific embodiment of the sensor deviceshown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 16 and 17 are front perspective views of a specific embodiment ofthe sensor device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an exploded side perspective view of a specific embodiment ofthe sensor device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the sensor device shown in FIGS. 12 through 18inserted into a battery recharger unit; and

FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating all of the components eithermounted on or coupled to the printed circuit board forming a part of thesensor device shown in FIGS. 12 through 18.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In general, according to the present invention, data relating to thephysiological state, the lifestyle and certain contextual parameters ofan individual is collected and transmitted, either subsequently or inreal-time, to a site, preferably remote from the individual, where it isstored for later manipulation and presentation to a recipient,preferably over an electronic network such as the Internet. Contextualparameters as used herein means parameters relating to the environment,surroundings and location of the individual, including, but not limitedto, air quality, sound quality, ambient temperature, global positioningand the like. Referring to FIG. 1, located at user location 5 is sensordevice 10 adapted to be placed in proximity with at least a portion ofthe human body. Sensor device 10 is preferably worn by an individualuser on his or her body, for example as part of a garment such as a formfitting shirt, or as part of an arm band or the like. Sensor device 10,includes one or more sensors, which are adapted to generate signals inresponse to physiological characteristics of an individual, and amicroprocessor. Proximity as used herein means that the sensors ofsensor device 10 are separated from the individual's body by a materialor the like, or a distance such that the capabilities of the sensors arenot impeded.

Sensor device 10 generates data indicative of various physiologicalparameters of an individual, such as the individual's heart rate, pulserate, beat-to-beat heart variability, EKG or ECG, respiration rate, skintemperature, core body temperature, heat flow off the body, galvanicskin response or GSR, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, body fat, hydrationlevel, activity level, oxygen consumption, glucose or blood sugar level,body position, pressure on muscles or bones, and UV radiation exposureand absorption. In certain cases, the data indicative of the variousphysiological parameters is the signal or signals themselves generatedby the one or more sensors and in certain other cases the data iscalculated by the microprocessor based on the signal or signalsgenerated by the one or more sensors. Methods for generating dataindicative of various physiological parameters and sensors to be usedtherefor are well known. Table 1 provides several examples of such wellknown methods and shows the parameter in question, the method used, thesensor device used, and the signal that is generated. Table 1 alsoprovides an indication as to whether further processing based on thegenerated signal is required to generate the data.

TABLE 1 Further Parameter Method Sensor Signal Processing Heart Rate EKG2 Electrodes DC Voltage Yes Pulse Rate BVP LED Emitter and Change inResistance Yes Optical Sensor Beat-to-Beat Heart Rate 2 Electrodes DCVoltage Yes Variability EKG Skin Surface 3-10 Electrodes DC Voltage NoPotentials Respiration Rate Chest Volume Strain Gauge Change inResistance Yes Change Skin Temperature Surface Thermistors Change inResistance Yes Temperature Probe Core Temperature Esophageal orThermistors Change in Resistance Yes Rectal Probe Heat Flow Heat FluxThermopile DC Voltage Yes Galvanic Skin Skin Conductance 2 ElectrodesChange in Resistance No Response EMG Skin Surface 3 Electrodes DCVoltage No Potentials EEG Skin Surface Multiple Electrodes DC VoltageYes Potentials EOG Eye Movement Thin Film DC Voltage Yes PiezoelectricSensors Blood Pressure Non-Invasive Electronic Change in Resistance YesKorotkuff Sounds Sphygromarometer Body Fat Body Impedance 2 ActiveElectrodes Change in Impedance Yes Activity in Body MovementAccelerometer DC Voltage, Yes Interpreted G Capacitance Changes Shocksper Minute Oxygen Oxygen Uptake Electro-chemical DC Voltage Change YesConsumption Glucose Level Non-Invasive Electro-chemical DC VoltageChange Yes Body Position (e.g. N/A Mercury Switch DC Voltage Change Yessupine, erect, Array sitting) Muscle Pressure N/A Thin Film DC VoltageChange Yes Piezoelectric Sensors UV Radiation N/A UV Sensitive Photo DCVoltage Change Yes Absorption Cells

The types of data listed in Table 1 are intended to be examples of thetypes of data that can be generated by sensor device 10. It is to beunderstood that other types of data relating to other parameters can begenerated by sensor device 10 without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

The microprocessor of sensor device 10 may be programmed to summarizeand analyze the data. For example, the microprocessor can be programmedto calculate an average, minimum or maximum heart rate or respirationrate over a defined period of time, such as ten minutes. Sensor device10 may be able to derive information relating to an individual'sphysiological state based on the data indicative of one or morephysiological parameters. The microprocessor of sensor device 10 isprogrammed to derive such information using known methods based on thedata indicative of one or more physiological parameters. Table 2provides examples of the type of information that can be derived, andindicates some of the types of data that can be used therefor.

TABLE 2 Derived Information Data Used Ovulation Skin temperature, coretemperature, oxygen consumption Sleep onset/wake Beat-to-beatvariability, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, skin temperature,core temperature, heat flow, galvanic skin response, EMG, EEG, EOG,blood pressure, oxygen consumption Calories burned Heart rate, pulserate, respiration rate, heat flow, activity, oxygen consumption Basalmetabolic rate Heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, heat flow,activity, oxygen consumption Basal temperature Skin temperature, coretemperature Activity level Heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate,heat flow, activity, oxygen consumption Stress level EKG, beat-to-beatvariability, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, skin temperature,heat flow, galvanic skin response, EMG, EEG, blood pressure, activity,oxygen consumption Relaxation level EKG, beat-to-beat variability, heartrate, pulse rate, respiration rate, skin temperature, heat flow,galvanic skin response, EMG, EEG, blood pressure, activity, oxygenconsumption Maximum oxygen consumption rate EKG, heart rate, pulse rate,respiration rate, heat flow, blood pressure, activity, oxygenconsumption Rise time or the time it takes to rise from Heart rate,pulse rate, heat flow, oxygen consumption a resting rate to 85% of atarget maximum Time in zone or the time heart rate was Heart rate, pulserate, heat flow, oxygen consumption above 85% of a target maximumRecovery time or the time it takes heart Heart rate, pulse rate, heatflow, oxygen consumption rate to return to a resting rate after heartrate was above 85% of a target maximum

Additionally, sensor device 10 may also generate data indicative ofvarious contextual parameters relating to the environment surroundingthe individual. For example, sensor device 10 can generate dataindicative of the air quality, sound level/quality, light quality orambient temperature near the individual, or even the global positioningof the individual. Sensor device 10 may include one or more sensors forgenerating signals in response to contextual characteristics relating tothe environment surrounding the individual, the signals ultimately beingused to generate the type of data described above. Such sensors are wellknown, as are methods for generating contextual parametric data such asair quality, sound level/quality, ambient temperature and globalpositioning.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of sensor device 10. Sensordevice 10 includes at least one sensor 12 and microprocessor 20.Depending upon the nature of the signal generated by sensor 12, thesignal can be sent through one or more of amplifier 14, conditioningcircuit 16, and analog-to-digital converter 18, before being sent tomicroprocessor 20. For example, where sensor 12 generates an analogsignal in need of amplification and filtering, that signal can be sentto amplifier 14, and then on to conditioning circuit 16, which may, forexample, be a band pass filter. The amplified and conditioned analogsignal can then be transferred to analog-to-digital converter 18, whereit is converted to a digital signal. The digital signal is then sent tomicroprocessor 20. Alternatively, if sensor 12 generates a digitalsignal, that signal can be sent directly to microprocessor 20.

A digital signal or signals representing certain physiological and/orcontextual characteristics of the individual user may be used bymicroprocessor 20 to calculate or generate data indicative ofphysiological and/or contextual parameters of the individual user.Microprocessor 20 is programmed to derive information relating to atleast one aspect of the individual's physiological state. It should beunderstood that microprocessor 20 may also comprise other forms ofprocessors or processing devices, such as a microcontroller, or anyother device that can be programmed to perform the functionalitydescribed herein.

The data indicative of physiological and/or contextual parameters can,according to one embodiment of the present invention, be sent to memory22, such as flash memory, where it is stored until uploaded in themanner to be described below. Although memory 22 is shown in FIG. 2 as adiscrete element, it will be appreciated that it may also be part ofmicroprocessor 20. Sensor device 10 also includes input/output circuitry24, which is adapted to output and receive as input certain data signalsin the manners to be described herein. Thus, memory 22 of the sensordevice 10 will build up, over time, a store of data relating to theindividual user's body and/or environment. That data is periodicallyuploaded from sensor device 10 and sent to remote central monitoringunit 30, as shown in FIG. 1, where it is stored in a database forsubsequent processing and presentation to the user, preferably through alocal or global electronic network such as the Internet. This uploadingof data can be an automatic process that is initiated by sensor device10 periodically or upon the happening of an event such as the detectionby sensor device 10 of a heart rate below a certain level, or can beinitiated by the individual user or some third party authorized by theuser, preferably according to some periodic schedule, such as every dayat 10:00 p.m. Alternatively, rather than storing data in memory 22,sensor device 10 may continuously upload data in real time.

The uploading of data from sensor device 10 to central monitoring unit30 for storage can be accomplished in various ways. In one embodiment,the data collected by sensor device 10 is uploaded by first transferringthe data to personal computer 35 shown in FIG. 1 by means of physicalconnection 40, which, for example, may be a serial connection such as anRS232 or USB port. This physical connection may also be accomplished byusing a cradle, not shown, that is electronically coupled to personalcomputer 35 into which sensor device 10 can be inserted, as is commonwith many commercially available personal digital assistants. Theuploading of data could be initiated by then pressing a button on thecradle or could be initiated automatically upon insertion of sensordevice 10. The data collected by sensor device 10 may be uploaded byfirst transferring the data to personal computer 35 by means ofshort-range wireless transmission, such as infrared or RF transmission,as indicated at 45.

Once the data is received by personal computer 35, it is optionallycompressed and encrypted by any one of a variety of well known methodsand then sent out over a local or global electronic network, preferablythe Internet, to central monitoring unit 30. It should be noted thatpersonal computer 35 can be replaced by any computing device that hasaccess to and that can transmit and receive data through the electronicnetwork, such as, for example, a personal digital assistant such as thePalm VII sold by Palm, Inc., or the Blackberry 2-way pager sold byResearch in Motion, Inc.

Alternatively, the data collected by sensor device 10, after beingencrypted and, optionally, compressed by microprocessor 20, may betransferred to wireless device 50, such as a 2-way pager or cellularphone, for subsequent long distance wireless transmission to local telcosite 55 using a wireless protocol such as e-mail or as ASCII or binarydata. Local telco site 55 includes tower 60 that receives the wirelesstransmission from wireless device 50 and computer 65 connected to tower60. According to the preferred embodiment, computer 65 has access to therelevant electronic network, such as the Internet, and is used totransmit the data received in the form of the wireless transmission tothe central monitoring unit 30 over the Internet. Although wirelessdevice 50 is shown in FIG. 1 as a discrete device coupled to sensordevice 10, it or a device having the same or similar functionality maybe embedded as part of sensor device 10.

Sensor device 10 may be provided with a button to be used to time stampevents such as time to bed, wake time, and time of meals. These timestamps are stored in sensor device 10 and are uploaded to centralmonitoring unit 30 with the rest of the data as described above. Thetime stamps may include a digitally recorded voice message that, afterbeing uploaded to central monitoring unit 30, are translated using voicerecognition technology into text or some other information format thatcan be used by central monitoring unit 30.

In addition to using sensor device 10 to automatically collectphysiological data relating to an individual user, a kiosk could beadapted to collect such data by, for example, weighing the individual,providing a sensing device similar to sensor device 10 on which anindividual places his or her hand or another part of his or her body, orby scanning the individual's body using, for example, laser technologyor an iStat blood analyzer. The kiosk would be provided with processingcapability as described herein and access to the relevant electronicnetwork, and would thus be adapted to send the collected data to thecentral monitoring unit 30 through the electronic network. A desktopsensing device, again similar to sensor device 10, on which anindividual places his or her hand or another part of his or her body mayalso be provided. For example, such a desktop sensing device could be ablood pressure monitor in which an individual places his or her arm. Anindividual might also wear a ring having a sensor device 10 incorporatedtherein. A base, not shown, could then be provided which is adapted tobe coupled to the ring. The desktop sensing device or the base justdescribed may then be coupled to a computer such as personal computer 35by means of a physical or short range wireless connection so that thecollected data could be uploaded to central monitoring unit 30 over therelative electronic network in the manner described above. A mobiledevice such as, for example, a personal digital assistant, might also beprovided with a sensor device 10 incorporated therein. Such a sensordevice 10 would be adapted to collect data when mobile device is placedin proximity with the individual's body, such as by holding the devicein the palm of one's hand, and upload the collected data to centralmonitoring unit 30 in any of the ways described herein.

Furthermore, in addition to collecting data by automatically sensingsuch data in the manners described above, individuals can also manuallyprovide data relating to various life activities that is ultimatelytransferred to and stored at central monitoring unit 30. An individualuser can access a web site maintained by central monitoring unit 30 andcan directly input information relating to life activities by enteringtext freely, by responding to questions posed by the web site, or byclicking through dialog boxes provided by the web site. Centralmonitoring unit 30 can also be adapted to periodically send electronicmail messages containing questions designed to elicit informationrelating to life activities to personal computer 35 or to some otherdevice that can receive electronic mail, such as a personal digitalassistant, a pager, or a cellular phone. The individual would thenprovide data relating to life activities to central monitoring unit 30by responding to the appropriate electronic mail message with therelevant data. Central monitoring unit 30 may also be adapted to place atelephone call to an individual user in which certain questions would beposed to the individual user. The user could respond to the questions byentering information using a telephone keypad, or by voice, in whichcase conventional voice recognition technology would be used by centralmonitoring unit 30 to receive and process the response. The telephonecall may also be initiated by the user, in which case the user couldspeak to a person directly or enter information using the keypad or byvoice/voice recognition technology. Central monitoring unit 30 may alsobe given access to a source of information controlled by the user, forexample the user's electronic calendar such as that provided with theOutlook product sold by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., fromwhich it could automatically collect information. The data relating tolife activities may relate to the eating, sleep, exercise, mindcentering or relaxation, and/or daily living habits, patterns and/oractivities of the individual. Thus, sample questions may include: Whatdid you have for lunch today? What time did you go to sleep last night?What time did you wake up this morning? How long did you run on thetreadmill today?

Feedback may also be provided to a user directly through sensor device10 in a visual form, for example through an LED or LCD or byconstructing sensor device 10, at least in part, of a thermochromaticplastic, in the form of an acoustic signal or in the form of tactilefeedback such as vibration. Such feedback may be a reminder or an alertto eat a meal or take medication or a supplement such as a vitamin, toengage in an activity such as exercise or meditation, or to drink waterwhen a state of dehydration is detected. Additionally, a reminder oralert can be issued in the event that a particular physiologicalparameter such as ovulation has been detected, a level of caloriesburned during a workout has been achieved or a high heart rate orrespiration rate has been encountered.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, it may be possible toAdownload@data from central monitoring unit 30 to sensor device 10. Theflow of data in such a download process would be substantially thereverse of that described above with respect to the upload of data fromsensor device 10. Thus, it is possible that the firmware ofmicroprocessor 20 of sensor device 10 can be updated or alteredremotely, i.e., the microprocessor can be reprogrammed, by downloadingnew firmware to sensor device 10 from central monitoring unit 30 forsuch parameters as timing and sample rates of sensor device 10. Also,the reminders/alerts provided by sensor device 10 may be set by the userusing the web site maintained by central monitoring unit 30 andsubsequently downloaded to the sensor device 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an embodiment of centralmonitoring unit 30 is shown. Central monitoring unit 30 includes CSU/DSU70 which is connected to router 75, the main function of which is totake data requests or traffic, both incoming and outgoing, and directsuch requests and traffic for processing or viewing on the web sitemaintained by central monitoring unit 30. Connected to router 75 isfirewall 80. The main purpose of firewall 80 is to protect the remainderof central monitoring unit 30 from unauthorized or malicious intrusions.Switch 85, connected to firewall 80, is used to direct data flow betweenmiddleware servers 95 a through 95 c and database server 110. Loadbalancer 90 is provided to spread the workload of incoming requestsamong the identically configured middleware servers 95 a through 95 c.Load balancer 90, a suitable example of which is the F5 ServerIronproduct sold by Foundry Networks, Inc. of San Jose, Calif., analyzes theavailability of each middleware server 95 a through 95 c, and the amountof system resources being used in each middleware server 95 a through 95c, in order to spread tasks among them appropriately.

Central monitoring unit 30 includes network storage device 100, such asa storage area network or SAN, which acts as the central repository fordata. In particular, network storage device 100 comprises a databasethat stores all data gathered for each individual user in the mannersdescribed above. An example of a suitable network storage device 100 isthe Symmetrix product sold by EMC Corporation of Hopkinton, Mass.Although only one network storage device 100 is shown in FIG. 3, it willbe understood that multiple network storage devices of variouscapacities could be used depending on the data storage needs of centralmonitoring unit 30. Central monitoring unit 30 also includes databaseserver 110 which is coupled to network storage device 100. Databaseserver 110 is made up of two main components: a large scalemultiprocessor server and an enterprise type software server componentsuch as the 8/8i component sold by Oracle Corporation of Redwood City,Calif., or the 506 7 component sold by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond,Wash. The primary functions of database server 110 are that of providingaccess upon request to the data stored in network storage device 100,and populating network storage device 100 with new data. Coupled tonetwork storage device 100 is controller 115, which typically comprisesa desktop personal computer, for managing the data stored in networkstorage device 100.

Middleware servers 95 a through 95 c, a suitable example of which is the22OR Dual Processor sold by Sun Microsystems, Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif.,each contain software for generating and maintaining the corporate orhome web page or pages of the web site maintained by central monitoringunit 30. As is known in the art, a web page refers to a block or blocksof data available on the World-Wide Web comprising a file or fileswritten in Hypertext Markup Language or HTML, and a web site commonlyrefers to any computer on the Internet running a World-Wide Web serverprocess. The corporate or home web page or pages are the opening orlanding web page or pages that are accessible by all members of thegeneral public that visit the site by using the appropriate uniformresource locator or URL. As is known in the art, URLs are the form ofaddress used on the World-Wide Web and provide a standard way ofspecifying the location of an object, typically a web page, on theInternet. Middleware servers 95 a through 95 c also each containsoftware for generating and maintaining the web pages of the web site ofcentral monitoring unit 30 that can only be accessed by individuals thatregister and become members of central monitoring unit 30. The memberusers will be those individuals who wish to have their data stored atcentral monitoring unit 30. Access by such member users is controlledusing passwords for security purposes. Preferred embodiments of thoseweb pages are described in detail below and are generated usingcollected data that is stored in the database of network storage device100.

Middleware servers 95 a through 95 c also contain software forrequesting data from and writing data to network storage device 100through database server 110. When an individual user desires to initiatea session with the central monitoring unit 30 for the purpose ofentering data into the database of network storage device 100, viewinghis or her data stored in the database of network storage device 100, orboth, the user visits the home web page of central monitoring unit 30using a browser program such as Internet Explorer distributed byMicrosoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and logs in as a registereduser. Load balancer 90 assigns the user to one of the middleware servers95 a through 95 c, identified as the chosen middleware server. A userwill preferably be assigned to a chosen middleware server for eachentire session. The chosen middleware server authenticates the userusing any one of many well known methods, to ensure that only the trueuser is permitted to access the information in the database. A memberuser may also grant access to his or her data to a third party such as ahealth care provider or a personal trainer. Each authorized third partymay be given a separate password and may view the member user's datausing a conventional browser. It is therefore possible for both the userand the third party to be the recipient of the data.

When the user is authenticated, the chosen middleware server requests,through database server 110, the individual user's data from networkstorage device 100 for a predetermined time period. The predeterminedtime period is preferably thirty days. The requested data, once receivedfrom network storage device 100, is temporarily stored by the chosenmiddleware server in cache memory. The cached data is used by the chosenmiddleware server as the basis for presenting information, in the formof web pages, to the user again through the user's browser. Eachmiddleware server 95 a through 95 c is provided with appropriatesoftware for generating such web pages, including software formanipulating and performing calculations utilizing the data to put thedata in appropriate format for presentation to the user. Once the userends his or her session, the data is discarded from cache. When the userinitiates a new session, the process for obtaining and caching data forthat user as described above is repeated. This caching system thusideally requires that only one call to the network storage device 100 bemade per session, thereby reducing the traffic that database server 110must handle. Should a request from a user during a particular sessionrequire data that is outside of a predetermined time period of cacheddata already retrieved, a separate call to network storage device 100may be performed by the chosen middleware server. The predetermined timeperiod should be chosen, however, such that such additional calls areminimized. Cached data may also be saved in cache memory so that it canbe reused when a user starts a new session, thus eliminating the need toinitiate a new call to network storage device 100.

As described in connection with Table 2, the microprocessor of sensordevice 10 may be programmed to derive information relating to anindividual's physiological state based on the data indicative of one ormore physiological parameters. Central monitoring unit 30, andpreferably middleware servers 95 a through 95 c, may also be similarlyprogrammed to derive such information based on the data indicative ofone or more physiological parameters.

It is also contemplated that a user will input additional data during asession, for example, information relating to the user's eating orsleeping habits. This additional data is preferably stored by the chosenmiddleware server in a cache during the duration of the user's session.When the user ends the session, this additional new data stored in acache is transferred by the chosen middleware server to database server110 for population in network storage device 100. Alternatively, inaddition to being stored in a cache for potential use during a session,the input data may also be immediately transferred to database server110 for population in network storage device 100, as part of awrite-through cache system which is well known in the art.

Data collected by sensor device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is periodicallyuploaded to central monitoring unit 30. Either by long distance wirelesstransmission or through personal computer 35, a connection to centralmonitoring unit 30 is made through an electronic network, preferably theInternet. In particular, connection is made to load balancer 90 throughCSU/DSU 70, router 75, firewall 80 and switch 85. Load balancer 90 thenchooses one of the middleware servers 95 a through 95 c to handle theupload of data, hereafter called the chosen middleware server. Thechosen middleware server authenticates the user using any one of manywell known methods. If authentication is successful, the data isuploaded to the chosen middleware server as described above, and isultimately transferred to database server 110 for population in thenetwork storage device 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of central monitoring unit30 is shown. In addition to the elements shown and described withrespect to FIG. 3, the embodiment of the central monitoring unit 30shown in FIG. 4 includes a mirror network storage device 120 which is aredundant backup of network storage device 100. Coupled to mirrornetwork storage device 120 is controller 122. Data from network storagedevice 100 is periodically copied to mirror network storage device 120for data redundancy purposes.

Third parties such as insurance companies or research institutions maybe given access, possibly for a fee, to certain of the informationstored in mirror network storage device 120. Preferably, in order tomaintain the confidentiality of the individual users who supply data tocentral monitoring unit 30, these third parties are not given access tosuch user's individual database records, but rather are only givenaccess to the data stored in mirror network storage device 120 inaggregate form. Such third parties may be able to access the informationstored in mirror network storage device 120 through the Internet using aconventional browser program. Requests from third parties may come inthrough CSU/DSU 70, router 75, firewall 80 and switch 85. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, a separate load balancer 130 is provided forspreading tasks relating to the accessing and presentation of data frommirror drive array 120 among identically configured middleware servers135 a through 135 c. Middleware servers 135 a through 135 c each containsoftware for enabling the third parties to, using a browser, formulatequeries for information from mirror network storage device 120 throughseparate database server 125. Middleware servers 135 a through 135 calso contain software for presenting the information obtained frommirror network storage device 120 to the third parties over the Internetin the form of web pages. In addition, the third parties can choose froma series of prepared reports that have information packaged alongsubject matter lines, such as various demographic categories.

As will be apparent to one of skill in the art, instead of giving thesethird parties access to the backup data stored in mirror network storagedevice 120, the third parties may be given access to the data stored innetwork storage device 100. Also, instead of providing load balancer 130and middleware servers 135 a through 135 c, the same functionality,although at a sacrificed level of performance, could be provided by loadbalancer 90 and middleware servers 95 a through 95 c.

When an individual user first becomes a registered user or member, thatuser completes a detailed survey. The purposes of the survey are to:identify unique characteristics/circumstances for each user that theymight need to address in order to maximize the likelihood that they willimplement and maintain a healthy lifestyle as suggested by centralmonitoring unit 30; gather baseline data which will be used to setinitial goals for the individual user and facilitate the calculation anddisplay of certain graphical data output such as the Health Indexpistons; identify unique user characteristics and circumstances thatwill help central monitoring unit 30 customize the type of contentprovided to the user in the Health Manager's Daily Dose; and identifyunique user characteristics and circumstances that the Health Managercan guide the user to address as possible barriers to a healthylifestyle through the problem-solving function of the Health Manager.

The specific information to be surveyed may include: key individualtemperamental characteristics, including activity level, regularity ofeating, sleeping, and bowel habits, initial response to situations,adaptability, persistence, threshold of responsiveness, intensity ofreaction, and quality of mood; the user's level of independentfunctioning, i.e., self-organization and management, socialization,memory, and academic achievement skills; the user's ability to focus andsustain attention, including the user's level of arousal, cognitivetempo, ability to filter distractions, vigilance, and self-monitoring;the user's current health status including current weight, height, andblood pressure, most recent general physician visit, gynecological exam,and other applicable physician/healthcare contacts, current medicationsand supplements, allergies, and a review of current symptoms and/orhealth-related behaviors; the user's past health history, i.e.,illnesses/surgeries, family history, and social stress events, such asdivorce or loss of a job, that have required adjustment by theindividual; the user's beliefs, values and opinions about healthpriorities, their ability to alter their behavior and, what mightcontribute to stress in their life, and how they manage it; the user'sdegree of self-awareness, empathy, empowerment, and self-esteem, and theuser's current daily routines for eating, sleeping, exercise, relaxationand completing activities of daily living; and the user's perception ofthe temperamental characteristics of two key persons in their life, forexample, their spouse, a friend, a co-worker, or their boss, and whetherthere are clashes present in their relationships that might interferewith a healthy lifestyle or contribute to stress.

Each member user will have access, through the home web page of centralmonitoring unit 30, to a series of web pages customized for that user,referred to as the Health Manager. The opening Health Manager web page150 is shown in FIG. 5. The Health Manager web pages are the mainworkspace area for the member user. The Health Manager web pagescomprise a utility through which central monitoring unit 30 providesvarious types and forms of data, commonly referred to as analyticalstatus data, to the user that is generated from the data it collects orgenerates, namely one or more of: the data indicative of variousphysiological parameters generated by sensor device 10; the data derivedfrom the data indicative of various physiological parameters; the dataindicative of various contextual parameters generated by sensor device10; and the data input by the user. Analytical status data ischaracterized by the application of certain utilities or algorithms toconvert one or more of the data indicative of various physiologicalparameters generated by sensor device 10, the data derived from the dataindicative of various physiological parameters, the data indicative ofvarious contextual parameters generated by sensor device 10, and thedata input by the user into calculated health, wellness and lifestyleindicators. For example, based on data input by the user relating to thefoods he or she has eaten, things such as calories and amounts ofproteins, fats, carbohydrates, and certain vitamins can be calculated.As another example, skin temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, heatflow and/or GSR can be used to provide an indicator to the user of hisor her stress level over a desired time period. As still anotherexample, skin temperature, heat flow, beat-to-beat heart variability,heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, core temperature, galvanicskin response, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, oxygen consumption,ambient sound and body movement or motion as detected by a device suchas an accelerometer can be used to provide indicators to the user of hisor her sleep patterns over a desired time period.

Located on the opening Health Manager web page 150 is Health Index 155.Health Index 155 is a graphical utility used to measure and providefeedback to member users regarding their performance and the degree towhich they have succeeded in reaching a healthy daily routine suggestedby central monitoring unit 30. Health Index 155 thus provides anindication for the member user to track his or her progress. HealthIndex 155 includes six categories relating to the user's health andlifestyle: Nutrition, Activity Level, Mind Centering, Sleep, DailyActivities and How You Feel. The Nutrition category relates to what,when and how much a person eats and drinks. The Activity Level categoryrelates to how much a person moves around. The Mind Centering categoryrelates to the quality and quantity of time a person spends engaging insome activity that allows the body to achieve a state of profoundrelaxation while the mind becomes highly alert and focused. The Sleepcategory relates to the quality and quantity of a person's sleep. TheDaily Activities category relates to the daily responsibilities andhealth risks people encounter. Finally, the How You Feel categoryrelates to the general perception that a person has about how they feelon a particular day. Each category has an associated level indicator orpiston that indicates, preferably on a scale ranging from poor toexcellent, how the user is performing with respect to that category.

When each member user completes the initial survey described above, aprofile is generated that provides the user with a summary of his or herrelevant characteristics and life circumstances. A plan and/or set ofgoals is provided in the form of a suggested healthy daily routine. Thesuggested healthy daily routine may include any combination of specificsuggestions for incorporating proper nutrition, exercise, mindcentering, sleep, and selected activities of daily living in the user'slife. Prototype schedules may be offered as guides for how thesesuggested activities can be incorporated into the user's life. The usermay periodically retake the survey, and based on the results, the itemsdiscussed above will be adjusted accordingly.

The Nutrition category is calculated from both data input by the userand sensed by sensor device 10. The data input by the user comprises thetime and duration of breakfast, lunch, dinner and any snacks, and thefoods eaten, the supplements such as vitamins that are taken, and thewater and other liquids consumed during a relevant, pre-selected timeperiod. Based upon this data and on stored data relating to knownproperties of various foods, central monitoring unit 30 calculates wellknown nutritional food values such as calories and amounts of proteins,fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc., consumed.

The Nutrition Health Index piston level is preferably determined withrespect to the following suggested healthy daily routine: eat at leastthree meals; eat a varied diet consisting of 6-11 servings of bread,pasta, cereal, and rice, 2-4 servings fruit, 3-5 servings of vegetables,2-3 servings of fish, meat, poultry, dry beans, eggs, and nuts, and 2-3servings of milk, yogurt and cheese; and drink 8 or more 8 ounce glassesof water. This routine may be adjusted based on information about theuser, such as sex, age, height and/or weight. Certain nutritionaltargets may also be set by the user or for the user, relating to dailycalories, protein, fiber, fat, carbohydrates, and/or water consumptionand percentages of total consumption. Parameters utilized in thecalculation of the relevant piston level include the number of meals perday, the number of glasses of water, and the types and amounts of foodeaten each day as input by the user.

Nutritional information is presented to the user through nutrition webpage 160 as shown in FIG. 6. The preferred nutritional web page 160includes nutritional fact charts 165 and 170 which illustrate actual andtarget nutritional facts, respectively as pie charts, and nutritionalintake charts 175 and 180 which show total actual nutritional intake andtarget nutritional intake, respectively as pie charts. Nutritional factcharts 165 and 170 preferably show a percentage breakdown of items suchas carbohydrates, protein and fat, and nutritional intake charts 175 and180 are preferably broken down to show components such as total andtarget calories, fat, carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. Web page 160also includes meal and water consumption tracking 185 with time entries,hyperlinks 190 which allow the user to directly access nutrition-relatednews items and articles, suggestions for refining or improving dailyroutine with respect to nutrition and affiliate advertising elsewhere onthe network, and calendar 195 for choosing between views having variableand selectable time periods. The items shown at 190 may be selected andcustomized based on information learned about the individual in thesurvey and on their performance as measured by the Health Index.

The Activity Level category of Health Index 155 is designed to helpusers monitor how and when they move around during the day and utilizesboth data input by the user and data sensed by sensor device 10. Thedata input by the user may include details regarding the user's dailyactivities, for example the fact that the user worked at a desk from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. and then took an aerobics class from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.Relevant data sensed by sensor device 10 may include heart rate,movement as sensed by a device such as an accelerometer, heat flow,respiration rate, calories burned, GSR and hydration level, which may bederived by sensor device 60 or central monitoring unit 30. Caloriesburned may be calculated in a variety of manners, including: themultiplication of the type of exercise input by the user by the durationof exercise input by the user; sensed motion multiplied by time ofmotion multiplied by a filter or constant; or sensed heat fluxmultiplied by time multiplied by a filter or constant.

The Activity Level Health Index piston level is preferably determinedwith respect to a suggested healthy daily routine that includes:exercising aerobically for a pre-set time period, preferably 20 minutes,or engaging in a vigorous lifestyle activity for a pre-set time period,preferably one hour, and burning at least a minimum target number ofcalories, preferably 205 calories, through the aerobic exercise and/orlifestyle activity. The minimum target number of calories may be setaccording to information about the user, such as sex, age, height and/orweight. Parameters utilized in the calculation of the relevant pistonlevel include the amount of time spent exercising aerobically orengaging in a vigorous lifestyle activity as input by the user and/orsensed by sensor device 10, and the number of calories burned abovepre-calculated energy expenditure parameters.

Information regarding the individual user's movement is presented to theuser through activity level web page 200 shown in FIG. 7, which mayinclude activity graph 205 in the form of a bar graph, for monitoringthe individual user's activities in one of three categories: high,medium and low intensity with respect to a pre-selected unit of time.Activity percentage chart 210, in the form or a pie chart, may also beprovided for showing the percentage of a pre-selected time period, suchas one day, that the user spent in each category. Activity level webpage 200 may also include calorie section 215 for displaying items suchas total calories burned, daily target calories burned, total caloricintake, and duration of aerobic activity. Finally, activity level webpage 200 may include at least one hyperlink 220 to allow a user todirectly access relevant news items and articles, suggestions forrefining or improving daily routine with respect to activity level andaffiliate advertising elsewhere on the network. Activity level web page200 may be viewed in a variety of formats, and may includeuser-selectable graphs and charts such as a bar graph, pie chart, orboth, as selectable by Activity level check boxes 225. Activity levelcalendar 230 is provided for selecting among views having variable andselectable time periods. The items shown at 220 may be selected andcustomized based on information learned about the individual in thesurvey and on their performance as measured by the Health Index.

The Mind Centering category of Health Index 155 is designed to helpusers monitor the parameters relating to time spent engaging in certainactivities which allow the body to achieve a state of profoundrelaxation while the mind becomes focused, and is based upon both datainput by the user and data sensed by the sensor device 10. Inparticular, a user may input the beginning and end times of relaxationactivities such as yoga or meditation. The quality of those activitiesas determined by the depth of a mind centering event can be measured bymonitoring parameters including skin temperature, heart rate,respiration rate, and heat flow as sensed by sensor device 10. Percentchange in GSR as derived either by sensor device 10 or centralmonitoring unit 30 may also be utilized.

The Mind Centering Health Index piston level is preferably calculatedwith respect to a suggested healthy daily routine that includesparticipating each day in an activity that allows the body to achieveprofound relaxation while the mind stays highly focused for at leastfifteen minutes. Parameters utilized in the calculation of the relevantpiston level include the amount of time spent in a mind centeringactivity, and the percent change in skin temperature, heart rate,respiration rate, heat flow or GSR as sensed by sensor device 10compared to a baseline which is an indication of the depth or quality ofthe mind centering activity.

Information regarding the time spent on self-reflection and relaxationis presented to the user through mind centering web page 250 shown inFIG. 8. For each mind centering activity, referred to as a session, thepreferred mind centering web page 250 includes the time spent during thesession, shown at 255, the target time, shown at 260, comparison section265 showing target and actual depth of mind centering, or focus, and ahistogram 270 that shows the overall level of stress derived from suchthings as skin temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, heat flowand/or GSR. In comparison section 265, the human figure outline showingtarget focus is solid, and the human figure outline showing actual focusranges from fuzzy to solid depending on the level of focus. Thepreferred mind centering web page may also include an indication of thetotal time spent on mind centering activities, shown at 275, hyperlinks280 which allow the user to directly access relevant news items andarticles, suggestions for refining or improving daily routine withrespect to mind centering and affiliate advertising, and a calendar 285for choosing among views having variable and selectable time periods.The items shown at 280 may be selected and customized based oninformation learned about the individual in the survey and on theirperformance as measured by the Health Index.

The Sleep category of Health Index 155 is designed to help users monitortheir sleep patterns and the quality of their sleep. It is intended tohelp users learn about the importance of sleep in their healthylifestyle and the relationship of sleep to circadian rhythms, being thenormal daily variations in body functions. The Sleep category is basedupon both data input by the user and data sensed by sensor device 10.The data input by the user for each relevant time interval includes thetimes the user went to sleep and woke up and a rating of the quality ofsleep. As noted in Table 2, the data from sensor device 10 that isrelevant includes skin temperature, heat flow, beat-to-beat heartvariability, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration rate, core temperature,galvanic skin response, EMG, EEG, EOG, blood pressure, and oxygenconsumption. Also relevant is ambient sound and body movement or motionas detected by a device such as an accelerometer. This data can then beused to calculate or derive sleep onset and wake time, sleepinterruptions, and the quality and depth of sleep.

The Sleep Health Index piston level is determined with respect to ahealthy daily routine including getting a minimum amount, preferablyeight hours, of sleep each night and having a predictable bed time andwake time. The specific parameters which determine the piston levelcalculation include the number of hours of sleep per night and the bedtime and wake time as sensed by sensor device 10 or as input by theuser, and the quality of the sleep as rated by the user or derived fromother data.

Information regarding sleep is presented to the user through sleep webpage 290 shown in FIG. 9. Sleep web page 290 includes a sleep durationindicator 295, based on either data from sensor device 10 or on datainput by the user, together with user sleep time indicator 300 and waketime indicator 305. A quality of sleep rating 310 input by the user mayalso be utilized and displayed. If more than a one day time interval isbeing displayed on sleep web page 290, then sleep duration indicator 295is calculated and displayed as a cumulative value, and sleep timeindicator 300, wake time indicator 305 and quality of sleep rating 310are calculated and illustrated as averages. Sleep web page 290 alsoincludes a user-selectable sleep graph 315 which calculates and displaysone sleep related parameter over a pre-selected time interval. Forillustrative purposes, FIG. 9 shows heat flow over a one-day period,which tends to be lower during sleeping hours and higher during wakinghours. From this information, a person's bio-rhythms can be derived.Sleep graph 315 may also include a graphical representation of data froman accelerometer incorporated in sensor device 10 which monitors themovement of the body. The sleep web page 290 may also include hyperlinks320 which allow the user to directly access sleep related news items andarticles, suggestions for refining or improving daily routine withrespect to sleep and affiliate advertising available elsewhere on thenetwork, and a sleep calendar 325 for choosing a relevant time interval.The items shown at 320 may be selected and customized based oninformation learned about the individual in the survey and on theirperformance as measured by the Health Index.

The Activities of Daily Living category of Health Index 155 is designedto help users monitor certain health and safety related activities andrisks and is based entirely on data input by the user. The Activities ofDaily Living category is divided into four sub-categories: personalhygiene, which allows the user to monitor activities such as brushingand flossing his or her teeth and showering; health maintenance, thattracks whether the user is taking prescribed medication or supplementsand allows the user to monitor tobacco and alcohol consumption andautomobile safety such as seat belt use; personal time, that allows theuser to monitor time spent socially with family and friends, leisure,and mind centering activities; and responsibilities, that allows theuser to monitor certain work and financial activities such as payingbills and household chores.

The Activities of Daily Living Health Index piston level is preferablydetermined with respect to the healthy daily routine described below.With respect to personal hygiene, the routine requires that the usersshower or bathe each day, brush and floss teeth each day, and maintainregular bowel habits. With respect to health maintenance, the routinerequires that the user take medications and vitamins and/or supplements,use a seat belt, refrain from smoking, drink moderately, and monitorhealth each day with the Health Manager. With respect to personal time,the routine requires the users to spend at least one hour of qualitytime each day with family and/or friends, restrict work time to amaximum of nine hours a day, spend some time on a leisure or playactivity each day, and engage in a mind stimulating activity. Withrespect to responsibilities, the routine requires the users to dohousehold chores, pay bills, be on time for work, and keep appointments.The piston level is calculated based on the degree to which the usercompletes a list of daily activities as determined by information inputby the user.

Information relating to these activities is presented to the userthrough daily activities web page 330 shown in FIG. 10. In preferreddaily activities web page 330, activities chart 335, selectable for oneor more of the sub-categories, shows whether the user has done what isrequired by the daily routine. A colored or shaded box indicates thatthe user has done the required activity, and an empty, non-colored orshaded box indicates that the user has not done the activity. Activitieschart 335 can be created and viewed in selectable time intervals. Forillustrative purposes, FIG. 10 shows the personal hygiene and personaltime sub-categories for a particular week. In addition, daily activitiesweb page 330 may include daily activity hyperlinks 340 which allow theuser to directly access relevant news items and articles, suggestionsfor improving or refining daily routine with respect to activities ofdaily living and affiliate advertising, and a daily activities calendar345 for selecting a relevant time interval. The items shown at 340 maybe selected and customized based on information learned about theindividual in the survey and on their performance as measured by theHealth Index.

The How You Feel category of Health Index 155 is designed to allow usersto monitor their perception of how they felt on a particular day, and isbased on information, essentially a subjective rating, that is inputdirectly by the user. A user provides a rating, preferably on a scale of1 to 5, with respect to the following nine subject areas: mentalsharpness; emotional and psychological well being; energy level; abilityto cope with life stresses; appearance; physical well being;self-control; motivation; and comfort in relating to others. Thoseratings are averaged and used to calculate the relevant piston level.

Referring to FIG. 11, Health Index web page 350 is shown. Health Indexweb page 350 enables users to view the performance of their Health Indexover a user selectable time interval including any number of consecutiveor non-consecutive days. Using Health Index selector buttons 360, theuser can select to view the Health Index piston levels for one category,or can view a side-by-side comparison of the Health Index piston levelsfor two or more categories. For example, a user might want to just turnon Sleep to see if their overall sleep rating improved over the previousmonth, much in the same way they view the performance of their favoritestock. Alternatively, Sleep and Activity Level might be simultaneouslydisplayed in order to compare and evaluate Sleep ratings withcorresponding Activity Level ratings to determine if any day-to-daycorrelations exist. Nutrition ratings might be displayed with How YouFeel for a pre-selected time interval to determine if any correlationexists between daily eating habits and how they felt during thatinterval. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 11 illustrates a comparison ofSleep and Activity Level piston levels for the week of June 10 throughJune 16. Health Index web page 350 also includes tracking calculator 365that displays access information and statistics such as the total numberof days the user has logged in and used the Health Manager, thepercentage of days the user has used the Health Manager since becoming asubscriber, and percentage of time the user has used the sensor device10 to gather data.

Referring again to FIG. 5, opening Health Manager web page 150 mayinclude a plurality of user selectable category summaries 156 a through156 f, one corresponding to each of the Health Index 155 categories.Each category summary 156 a through 156 f presents a pre-selectedfiltered subset of the data associated with the corresponding category.Nutrition category summary 156 a displays daily target and actualcaloric intake. Activity Level category summary 156 b displays dailytarget and actual calories burned. Mind Centering category summary 156 cdisplays target and actual depth of mind centering or focus. Sleepcategory summary 156 d displays target sleep, actual sleep, and a sleepquality rating. Daily Activities category summary 156 e displays atarget and actual score based on the percentage of suggested dailyactivities that are completed. The How You Feel category summary 156 fshows a target and actual rating for the day.

Opening Health Manager web page 150 also may include Daily Dose section157 which provides, on a daily time interval basis, information to theuser, including, but not limited to, hyperlinks to news items andarticles, commentary and reminders to the user based on tendencies, suchas poor nutritional habits, determined from the initial survey. Thecommentary for Daily Dose 157 may, for example, be a factual statementthat drinking 8 glasses of water a day can reduce the risk of coloncancer by as much as 32%, accompanied by a suggestion to keep a cup ofwater by your computer or on your desk at work and refill often. OpeningHealth Manager web page 150 also may include a Problem Solver section158 that actively evaluates the user's performance in each of thecategories of Health Index 155 and presents suggestions for improvement.For example, if the system detects that a user's Sleep levels have beenlow, which suggest that the user has been having trouble sleeping,Problem Solver 158 can provide suggestions for way to improve sleep.Problem Solver 158 also may include the capability of user questionsregarding improvements in performance. Opening Health Manager web page150 may also include a Daily Data section 159 that launches an inputdialog box. The input dialog box facilitates input by the user of thevarious data required by the Health Manager. As is known in the art,data entry may be in the form of selection from pre-defined lists orgeneral free form text input. Finally, opening Health Manager web page150 may include Body Stats section 161 which may provide informationregarding the user's height, weight, body measurements, body mass indexor BMI, and vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure or any of theidentified physiological parameters.

Referring to FIGS. 12-17, a specific embodiment of sensor device 10 isshown which is in the form of an armband adapted to be worn by anindividual on his or her upper arm, between the shoulder and the elbow.The specific embodiment of sensor device 10 shown in FIGS. 12-17 will,for convenience, be referred to as armband sensor device 400. Armbandsensor device 400 includes computer housing 405, flexible wing body 410,and, as shown in FIG. 17, elastic strap 415. Computer housing 405 andflexible wing body 410 are preferably made of a flexible urethanematerial or an elastomeric material such as rubber or a rubber-siliconeblend by a molding process. Flexible wing body 410 includes first andsecond wings 418 each having a thru-hole 420 located near the ends 425thereof. First and second wings 418 are adapted to wrap around a portionof the wearer's upper arm.

Elastic strap 415 is used to removably affix armband sensor device 400to the individual's upper arm. As seen in FIG. 17, bottom surface 426 ofelastic strap 415 is provided with velcro loops 416 along a portionthereof. Each end 427 of elastic strap 415 is provided with velcro hookpatch 428 on bottom surface 426 and pull tab 429 on top surface 430. Aportion of each pull tab 429 extends beyond the edge of each end 427.

In order to wear armband sensor device 400, a user inserts each end 427of elastic strap 415 into a respective thru-hole 420 of flexible wingbody 410. The user then places his arm through the loop created byelastic strap 415, flexible wing body 410 and computer housing 405. Bypulling each pull tab 429 and engaging velcro hook patches 428 withvelcro loops 416 at a desired position along bottom surface 426 ofelastic strap 415, the user can adjust elastic strap 415 to fitcomfortably. Since velcro hook patches 428 can be engaged with velcroloops 416 at almost any position along bottom surface 426, armbandsensor device 400 can be adjusted to fit arms of various sizes. Also,elastic strap 415 may be provided in various lengths to accommodate awider range of arm sizes. As will be apparent to one of skill in theart, other means of fastening and adjusting the size of elastic strapmay be used, including, but not limited to, snaps, buttons, or buckles.It is also possible to use two elastic straps that fasten by one ofseveral conventional means including velcro, snaps, buttons, buckles orthe like, or merely a single elastic strap affixed to wings 418.

Alternatively, instead of providing thru-holes 420 in wings 418, loopshaving the shape of the letter D, not shown, may be attached to ends 425of wings 418 by one of several conventional means. For example, a pin,not shown, may be inserted through ends 425, wherein the pin engageseach end of each loop. In this configuration, the D-shaped loops wouldserve as connecting points for elastic strap 415, effectively creating athru-hole between each end 425 of each wing 418 and each loop.

As shown in FIG. 18, which is an exploded view of armband sensor device400, computer housing 405 includes a top portion 435 and a bottomportion 440. Contained within computer housing 405 are printed circuitboard or PCB 445, rechargeable battery 450, preferably a lithium ionbattery, and vibrating motor 455 for providing tactile feedback to thewearer, such as those used in pagers, suitable examples of which are theModel 12342 and 12343 motors sold by MG Motors Ltd. of the UnitedKingdom.

Top portion 435 and bottom portion 440 of computer housing 405 sealinglymate along groove 436 into which O-ring 437 is fit, and may be affixedto one another by screws, not shown, which pass through screw holes 438a and stiffeners 438 b of bottom portion 440 and apertures 439 in PCB445 and into threaded receiving stiffeners 451 of top portion 435.Alternately, top portion 435 and bottom portion 440 may be snap fittogether or affixed to one another with an adhesive. Preferably, theassembled computer housing 405 is sufficiently water resistant to permitarmband sensor device 400 to be worn while swimming without adverselyaffecting the performance thereof.

As can be seen in FIG. 13, bottom portion 440 includes, on a bottom sidethereof, a raised platform 430. Affixed to raised platform 430 is heatflow or flux sensor 460, a suitable example of which is the micro-foilheat flux sensor sold by RdF Corporation of Hudson, N.H. Heat fluxsensor 460 functions as a self-generating thermopile transducer, andpreferably includes a carrier made of a polyamide film. Bottom portion440 may include on a top side thereof, that is on a side opposite theside to which heat flux sensor 460 is affixed, a heat sink, not shown,made of a suitable metallic material such as aluminum. Also affixed toraised platform 430 are GSR sensors 465, preferably comprisingelectrodes formed of a material such as conductive carbonized rubber,gold or stainless steel. Although two GSR sensors 465 are shown in FIG.13, it will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the number ofGSR sensors 465 and the placement thereof on raised platform 430 canvary as long as the individual GSR sensors 465, i.e., the electrodes,are electrically isolated from one another. By being affixed to raisedplatform 430, heat flux sensor 460 and GSR sensors 465 are adapted to bein contact with the wearer's skin when armband sensor device 400 isworn. Bottom portion 440 of computer housing 405 may also be providedwith a removable and replaceable soft foam fabric pad, not shown, on aportion of the surface thereof that does not include raised platform 430and screw holes 438 a. The soft foam fabric is intended to contact thewearer's skin and make armband sensor device 400 more comfortable towear.

Electrical coupling between heat flux sensor 460, GSR sensors 465, andPCB 445 may be accomplished in one of various known methods. Forexample, suitable wiring, not shown, may be molded into bottom portion440 of computer housing 405 and then electrically connected, such as bysoldering, to appropriate input locations on PCB 445 and to heat fluxsensor 460 and GSR sensors 465. Alternatively, rather than moldingwiring into bottom portion 440, thru-holes may be provided in bottomportion 440 through which appropriate wiring may pass. The thru-holeswould preferably be provided with a water tight seal to maintain theintegrity of computer housing 405.

Rather than being affixed to raised platform 430 as shown in FIG. 13,one or both of heat flux sensor 460 and GSR sensors 465 may be affixedto the inner portion 466 of flexible wing body 410 on either or both ofwings 418 so as to be in contact with the wearer's skin when armbandsensor device 400 is worn. In such a configuration, electrical couplingbetween heat flux sensor 460 and GSR sensors 465, whichever the case maybe, and the PCB 445 may be accomplished through suitable wiring, notshown, molded into flexible wing body 410 that passes through one ormore thru-holes in computer housing 405 and that is electricallyconnected, such as by soldering, to appropriate input locations on PCB445. Again, the thru-holes would preferably be provided with a watertight seal to maintain the integrity of computer housing 405.Alternatively, rather than providing thru-holes in computer housing 405through which the wiring passes, the wiring may be captured in computerhousing 405 during an overmolding process, described below, andultimately soldered to appropriate input locations on PCB 445.

As shown in FIGS. 12, 16, 17 and 18, computer housing 405 includes abutton 470 that is coupled to and adapted to activate a momentary switch585 on PCB 445. Button 470 may be used to activate armband sensor device400 for use, to mark the time an event occurred or to request systemstatus information such as battery level and memory capacity. Whenbutton 470 is depressed, momentary switch 585 closes a circuit and asignal is sent to processing unit 490 on PCB 445. Depending on the timeinterval for which button 470 is depressed, the generated signaltriggers one of the events just described. Computer housing 405 alsoincludes LEDs 475, which may be used to indicate battery level or memorycapacity or to provide visual feedback to the wearer. Rather than LEDs475, computer housing 405 may also include a liquid crystal display orLCD to provide battery level, memory capacity or visual feedbackinformation to the wearer. Battery level, memory capacity or feedbackinformation may also be given to the user tactily or audibly.

Armband sensor device 400 may be adapted to be activated for use, thatis collecting data, when either of GSR sensors 465 or heat flux sensor460 senses a particular condition that indicates that armband sensordevice 400 has been placed in contact with the user's skin. Also,armband sensor device 400 may be adapted to be activated for use whenone or more of heat flux sensor 460, GSR sensors 465, accelerometer 495or 550, or any other device in communication with armband sensor device400, alone or in combination, sense a particular condition or conditionsthat indicate that the armband sensor device 400 has been placed incontact with the user's skin for use. At other times, armband sensordevice 400 would be deactivated, thus preserving battery power.

Computer housing 405 is adapted to be coupled to a battery rechargerunit 480 shown in FIG. 19 for the purpose of recharging rechargeablebattery 450. Computer housing 405 includes recharger contacts 485, shownin FIGS. 12, 15, 16 and 17, that are coupled to rechargeable battery450. Recharger contracts 485 may be made of a material such as brass,gold or stainless steel, and are adapted to mate with and beelectrically coupled to electrical contacts, not shown, provided inbattery recharger unit 480 when armband sensor device 400 is placedtherein. The electrical contacts provided in battery recharger unit 480may be coupled to recharging circuit 481 a provided inside batteryrecharger unit 480. In this configuration, recharging circuit 481 wouldbe coupled to a wall outlet, such as by way of wiring including asuitable plug that is attached or is attachable to battery rechargerunit 480. Alternatively, electrical contacts 480 may be coupled towiring that is attached to or is attachable to battery recharger unit480 that in turn is coupled to recharging circuit 481 b external tobattery recharger unit 480. The wiring in this configuration would alsoinclude a plug, not shown, adapted to be plugged into a conventionalwall outlet.

Also provided inside battery recharger unit 480 is RF transceiver 483adapted to receive signals from and transmit signals to RF transceiver565 provided in computer housing 405 and shown in FIG. 20. RFtransceiver 483 is adapted to be coupled, for example by a suitablecable, to a serial port, such as an RS 232 port or a USB port, of adevice such as personal computer 35 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, data may beuploaded from and downloaded to armband sensor device 400 using RFtransceiver 483 and RF transceiver 565. It will be appreciated thatalthough RF transceivers 483 and 565 are shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, otherforms of wireless transceivers may be used, such as infraredtransceivers. Alternatively, computer housing 405 may be provided withadditional electrical contacts, not shown, that would be adapted to matewith and be electrically coupled to additional electrical contacts, notshown, provided in battery recharger unit 480 when armband sensor device400 is placed therein. The additional electrical contacts in thecomputer housing 405 would be coupled to the processing unit 490 and theadditional electrical contacts provided in battery recharger unit 480would be coupled to a suitable cable that in turn would be coupled to aserial port, such as an RS R32 port or a USB port, of a device such aspersonal computer 35. This configuration thus provides an alternatemethod for uploading of data from and downloading of data to armbandsensor device 400 using a physical connection.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram that shows the system architecture ofarmband sensor device 400, and in particular each of the components thatis either on or coupled to PCB 445.

As shown in FIG. 17, PCB 445 includes processing unit 490, which may bea microprocessor, a microcontroller, or any other processing device thatcan be adapted to perform the functionality described herein. Processingunit 490 is adapted to provide all of the functionality described inconnection with microprocessor 20 shown in FIG. 2. A suitable example ofprocessing unit 490 is the Dragonball EZ sold by Motorola, Inc. ofSchaumburg, Ill. PCB 445 also has thereon a two-axis accelerometer 495,a suitable example of which is the Model ADXL210 accelerometer sold byAnalog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass. Two-axis accelerometer 495 ispreferably mounted on PCB 445 at an angle such that its sensing axes areoffset at an angle substantially equal to 45 degrees from thelongitudinal axis of PCB 445 and thus the longitudinal axis of thewearer's arm when armband sensor device 400 is worn. The longitudinalaxis of the wearer's arm refers to the axis defined by a straight linedrawn from the wearer's shoulder to the wearer's elbow. The outputsignals of two-axis accelerometer 495 are passed through buffers 500 andinput into analog to digital converter 505 that in turn is coupled toprocessing unit 490. GSR sensors 465 are coupled to amplifier 510 on PCB445. Amplifier 510 provides amplification and low pass filteringfunctionality, a suitable example of which is the Model AD8544 amplifiersold by Analog Devices, Inc. of Norwood, Mass. The amplified andfiltered signal output by amplifier 510 is input into amp/offset 515 toprovide further gain and to remove any bias voltage and intofilter/conditioning circuit 520, which in turn are each coupled toanalog to digital converter 505. Heat flux sensor 460 is coupled todifferential input amplifier 525, such as the Model INA amplifier soldby Burr-Brown Corporation of Tucson, Ariz., and the resulting amplifiedsignal is passed through filter circuit 530, buffer 535 and amplifier540 before being input to analog to digital converter 505. Amplifier 540is configured to provide further gain and low pass filtering, a suitableexample of which is the Model AD8544 amplifier sold by Analog Devices,Inc. of Norwood, Mass. PCB 445 also includes thereon a battery monitor545 that monitors the remaining power level of rechargeable battery 450.Battery monitor 545 preferably comprises a voltage divider with a lowpass filter to provide average battery voltage. When a user depressesbutton 470 in the manner adapted for requesting battery level,processing unit 490 checks the output of battery monitor 545 andprovides an indication thereof to the user, preferably through LEDs 475,but also possibly through vibrating motor 455 or ringer 575. An LCD mayalso be used.

PCB 445 may include three-axis accelerometer 550 instead of or inaddition to two-axis accelerometer 495. The three-axis accelerometeroutputs a signal to processing unit 490. A suitable example ofthree-axis accelerometer is the μPAM product sold by I.M. Systems, Inc.of Scottsdale, Ariz. Three-axis accelerometer 550 is preferably tiltedin the manner described with respect to two-axis accelerometer 495.

PCB 445 also includes RF receiver 555 that is coupled to processing unit490. RF receiver 555 may be used to receive signals that are output byanother device capable of wireless transmission, shown in FIG. 20 aswireless device 558, worn by or located near the individual wearingarmband sensor device 400. Located near as used herein means within thetransmission range of wireless device 558. For example, wireless device558 may be a chest mounted heart rate monitor such as the Tempo productsold by Polar Electro of Oulu, Finland. Using such a heart rate monitor,data indicative of the wearer's heart rate can be collected by armbandsensor device 400. Antenna 560 and RF transceiver 565 are coupled toprocessing unit 490 and are provided for purposes of uploading data tocentral monitoring unit 30 and receiving data downloaded from centralmonitoring unit 30. RF transceiver 565 and RF receiver 555 may, forexample, employ Bluetooth technology as the wireless transmissionprotocol. Also, other forms of wireless transmission may be used, suchas infrared transmission.

Vibrating motor 455 is coupled to processing unit 490 through vibratordriver 570 and provides tactile feedback to the wearer. Similarly,ringer 575, a suitable example of which is the Model SMT916A ringer soldby Projects Unlimited, Inc. of Dayton, Ohio, is coupled to processingunit 490 through ringer driver 580, a suitable example of which is theModel MMBTA 14 CTI darlington transistor driver sold by Motorola, Inc.of Schaumburg, Ill., and provides audible feedback to the wearer.Feedback may include, for example, celebratory, cautionary and otherthreshold or event driven messages, such as when a wearer reaches alevel of calories burned during a workout.

Also provided on PCB 445 and coupled to processing unit 490 is momentaryswitch 585. Momentary switch 585 is also coupled to button 470 foractivating momentary switch 585. LEDs 475, used to provide various typesof feedback information to the wearer, are coupled to processing unit490 through LED latch/driver 590.

Oscillator 595 is provided on PCB 445 and supplies the system clock toprocessing unit 490. Reset circuit 600, accessible and triggerablethrough a pin-hole in the side of computer housing 405, is coupled toprocessing unit 490 and enables processing unit 490 to be reset to astandard initial setting.

Rechargeable battery 450, which is the main power source for the armbandsensor device 400, is coupled to processing unit 490 through voltageregulator 605. Finally, memory functionality is provided for armbandsensor device 400 by SRAM 610, which stores data relating to the wearerof armband sensor device 400, and flash memory 615, which stores programand configuration data, provided on PCB 445. SRAM 610 and flash memory615 are coupled to processing unit 490 and each preferably have at least512K of memory.

In manufacturing and assembling armband sensor device 400, top portion435 of computer housing 405 is preferably formed first, such as by aconventional molding process, and flexible wing body 410 is thenovermolded on top of top portion 435. That is, top portion 435 is placedinto an appropriately shaped mold, i.e., one that, when top portion 435is placed therein, has a remaining cavity shaped according to thedesired shape of flexible wing body 410, and flexible wing body 410 ismolded on top of top portion 435. As a result, flexible wing body 410and top portion 435 will merge or bond together, forming a single unit.Alternatively, top portion 435 of computer housing 405 and flexible wingbody 410 may be formed together, such as by molding in a single mold, toform a single unit. The single unit however formed may then be turnedover such that the underside of top portion 435 is facing upwards, andthe contents of computer housing 405 can be placed into top portion 435,and top portion 435 and bottom portion 440 can be affixed to oneanother. As still another alternative, flexible wing body 410 may beseparately formed, such as by a conventional molding process, andcomputer housing 405, and in particular top portion 435 of computerhousing 405, may be affixed to flexible wing body 410 by one of severalknown methods, such as by an adhesive, by snap-fitting, or by screwingthe two pieces together. Then, the remainder of computer housing 405would be assembled as described above. It will be appreciated thatrather than assembling the remainder of computer housing 405 after topportion 435 has been affixed to flexible wing body 410, the computerhousing 405 could be assembled first and then affixed to flexible wingbody 410.

The terms and expressions which have been employed herein are used asterms of description and not as limitation, and there is no intention inthe use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scope of theinvention claimed. Although particular embodiments of the presentinvention have been illustrated in the foregoing detailed description,it is to be further understood that the present invention is not to belimited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that they are capable ofnumerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions.

1. A system for detecting, monitoring and reporting human physiological information, comprising: a. a sensor device adapted to be placed in proximity to an individual's body, said sensor device including at least two of an accelerometer, a GSR sensor, a heart-related sensor, and a heat flux sensor, said sensor device being adapted to generate: (i) data indicative of at least two of motion of said individual, the resistance of said individual's skin to electric current, heart-related data of said individual, and heat flow of said individual, (ii) derived data from at least a portion of said data indicative of at least two of said motion of said individual, said resistance of said individual's skin to electric current, said heart-related data of said individual, and said heat flow of said individual, said derived data comprising a physiological parameter of said individual that cannot be wholly measured directly by any one of said accelerometer, said GSR sensor, said heat flux sensor and said heart-related sensor; b. a central monitoring unit remote from said sensor device adapted to generate analytical status data from at least a portion of at least one of: (i) at least two of said data indicative of at motion of said individual, said resistance of said individual's skin to electric current, said heart-related data of said individual, and said heat flow of said individual, (ii) said derived data, and (iii) said analytical status data, said central monitoring unit including a data storage device for retrievably storing at least one of: (i) said at least two of said data indicative of at motion of said individual, said resistance of said individual's skin to electric current, said heart-related data of said individual, and said heat flow of said individual, (ii) said derived data, and (iii) said analytical status data; c. a data transfer means for establishing at least temporary electronic communication between said sensor device and said central monitoring unit; and d. a means for transmitting at least one of: (i) said at least two of said data indicative of at motion of said individual, said resistance of said individual's skin to electric current, said heart-related data of said individual, and said heat flow of said individual, (ii) said derived data, and (iii) said analytical status data to a recipient.
 2. A sensor device adapted to be placed in proximity to an individual's body, comprising: a. at least two of an accelerometer adapted to generate data indicative of motion of said individual, a GSR sensor adapted to generate data indicative of the resistance of said individual's skin to electric current, a heart-related sensor adapted to generated data indicative of said individual's heart, and a heat flux sensor adapted to generate data indicative of the heat flow of said individual; b. a processor coupled to at least two of said accelerometer, said GSR sensor, said heart-related sensor, and said heat flow sensor, said processor being adapted to generate derived data from at least a portion of at least two of said data indicative of motion of said individual, data indicative of the resistance of said individual's skin to electric current, data indicative of said individual's heart, and data indicative of the heat flow of said individual, said derived data comprising a physiological parameter of said individual that cannot be wholly measured directly by any one of said accelerometer, said GSR sensor, said heart-related sensor, and said heat flux sensor; c. means for inputting and outputting data from said sensor device; and d. a computer housing for containing said processor. 